International Commons Conference, “Constructing a Commons-Based Policy Platform,” Berlin, Germany, on November 1 and 2, 2010

[Michel Bauwens]

International Commons Conference

The International Commons Conference, “Constructing a Commons-Based Policy Platform,” will be held in Berlin, Germany, on November 1 and 2, 2010. The event, is being convened by
the Heinrich Böll Foundation, a publicly financed non-profit organization
affiliated with the German Greens, but working independently with various
partners through its 25 worldwide offices.

The conference seeks to bring together a diverse group of about 150 international and Germany- and European-based commoners, intellectuals, activists and policy makers. It also aims to enhance participation and
self-organization; stewardship, cooperation and networking; and open, non-linear
ways to search for solutions.

Over the course of two days, the conference will assess the range of existing and potential commons-based policy approaches; develop the fundamentals of a policy framework that supports the commons; and identify and explore specific
strategic opportunities to advance commons-based approaches.

The conference announcement elaborates: “The simple yet powerful and complex question to be explored throughout the conference is: What does a commons-based policy framework look like? What already exists and what do we still need to
develop to nurture and protect diverse sorts of commons?”

The conference language will be English, with translations of English to Spanish and Spanish to English provided throughout the conference. For information, contact Silke Helfrich at [e-mail].